May 10, 2023
Manitoba Government Increases Annual Funding for Research Manitoba
– – –Funding Support Development of Provincial Research Strategy, Enhance Indigenous Participation in Research and Innovation: Wharton
The Manitoba government is increasing funding to Research Manitoba to $13.6 million in 2023-24 to advance Manitoba’s research ecosystem and support strategic investments in research and innovation, Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Jeff Wharton announced today.
“Research Manitoba strengthens research capacity in our province and supports key Manitoba government priorities including health care, entrepreneurship, innovation, economic growth and job creation,” said Wharton. “This funding will position Manitoba as an attractive location for investment and innovation, and benefit all Manitobans economically.”
Research Manitoba promotes, supports, and co-ordinates funding of research excellence and innovation in health, natural and social sciences, engineering and the humanities in Manitoba.
The minister noted this year’s funding is an increase of $1.55 million from the previous year, or 13 per cent, and will support the ongoing development of a new Manitoba government research strategy, enhance Indigenous participation in research and innovation, and advance a new clinical trials initiative.
Research Manitoba will also co-create an Indigenous research and innovation framework that will include new grant programs to advance research and innovation opportunities for Indigenous students, scientists, and Indigenous-led research projects, and expand opportunities for Indigenous graduate and undergraduate students to gain research experience. The investment will ensure Indigenous experiences and culturally safe research methodologies are honoured and incorporated in this work, including adjusting Research Manitoba’s grants management system to better support Indigenous-led reviews and programming.
“Research and innovation are drivers of Manitoba’s economic prosperity and well-being. We would like to thank the Manitoba government for the increase in financial support for the 2023-2024 fiscal year,” said Karen Dunlop, CEO, Research Manitoba. “This important increase in funding will allow Research Manitoba to continue to advance our province’s research enterprise, support Manitoba innovators to grow Manitoba’s economy, and develop research talent for today, tomorrow, and future generations to come. Importantly, we will engage with Indigenous leaders, organizations and the community to support the development of an Indigenous research and innovation initiative to help build capacity, close the innovation gap, and advance the Indigenous research ecosystem in Manitoba to benefit Indigenous people and communities in Manitoba.”
The minister noted the framework and grant programs advance progress under the four foundational principles of respect, engagement, understanding and action outlined in the Path to Reconciliation Act.
Research Manitoba plays a pivotal role in developing talent in the province by providing research support to early career researchers and graduate students. The funding increase will also support a new initiative to train more clinical trials researchers and strengthen clinical trials infrastructure in Manitoba, which will enable Manitoba to lead and participate in more regional, national and global clinical trials, the minister said.
The Manitoba government’s 2022-23 investment of more than $12 million leveraged over $24 million in additional funding from industry, the federal government and philanthropic organizations for a total investment of $36.2 million in Manitoba’s research ecosystem.
For more information about Research Manitoba, visit researchmanitoba.ca.
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